TUBERCULINUM

Tuberculinum is prepared from the material obtained from tuberculous lesions. Dr. Burnett has done most of the research on this remedy and others have significantly benefited from his experiments. Dr. Kent also has given a lot of importance to this remedy. Its basic nature must be well learnt so that its efficacy may be  vailed not only in the treatment of tuberculosis but also in some other diseases. It is a nosode i.e. the remedy   prepared from the extract of a toxic, putrid matter. On repeated dilution and purification, the original toxic/poisonous substance does not exist except just as a memory in the form of a subtle power. Yet, it can be used to treat the original disease or its like The nosode should not be used in potency less than 200 or better still, it should be used in higher potencies. Potency 1000 is better. Dr.  Kent has claimed that any person treated with Tuberculinum 200, 1000, 10 000, 50 000 and finally CM (two doses of each potency at long intervals) will never contract tuberculosis, even if he lives among TB patients. Tuberculinum or some other nosode may be needed to treat latent tuberculosis. This will enhance the action of other homoeopathic remedies. Tuberculinum produces a profound bodily reaction so that the previously ineffective homoeopathic remedies are rendered effective. Preliminary treatment with Tuberculinum helps the treatment to be more effective.

Tuberculinum is an anti-psoric remedy. In general, skin diseases are called psoric diseases. Malaria and all other fevers, which after being temporarily suppressed have the tendency to repeatedly relapse every second or third day, can be usefully treated with Tuberculinum. Some doctors use Tuberculinum during the malarial fever also. They call it a malarial antidote.A symptom of Tuberculinum is that like Thuja and Arnica, the patient likes to change places constantlyOne must remember that the patients of tuberculosis and syphilis may become insane in the advanced disease. But there is a difference  between their insanity. The tuberculosis patients usually become insane because of the constant severe headache and deep-seated lesions inside the chest. In syphilis, the entire body of the patient is studded with sores and ulcers, which can even dissolve the bones.

The bridge of the nose settles down due to the decay of the nasal bones. Syphilis also affects the brain directly, and thus makes the patient completely insane. The insanity due to tuberculosis is associated with the tendency of violence and aggression. Sometimes, the patient may become altogether  mute.Sometimes when insane, even women weakened internally by Tuberculosis may show great strength. Their mind becomes excited and leads to violence. Nevertheless, they are usually of a calm nature.  Tuberculinum given in high potency can save them from becoming insane.

According to some homoeopathic doctors, Calcarea and Tuberculinum are very deeply related and may be used as a substitute for each otherIn Tuberculinum, the muscles become very weak and flabby. This sign is well pronounced. In a child suffering from tuberculosis, who has the tendency of prolapse of the rectum at the time of defacation, one should not forget to use Tuberculinum. It may also prove useful in the treatment of prolapse of the uterus or the tendency of prolapse of the rectum in men as well as women.  Periods are frequent and prolonged and may be associated with pain. One should not forget using Tuberculinum in the treatment of this condition along with the other homoeopathic remedies.  A dry persistent cough that is not necessarily the result of a nasal cold is very common in the patient of Tuberculinum. Pulsatilla may also decrease the severity of this cough.

Ringworm (i.e. formation of circle of minute spots) may affect the scalp and cause loss of hair. This is called Alopecia, in which bunches of hair fall in the form of circles. Both Tuberculinum and Bacillinum are useful in the treatment of this condition. According to Dr. Burnett, the basic cause of alopecia is tuberculosis and he suggests that anybody with this condition must be treated with Bacillinum or Tuberculinum. Picric Acid is also a very effective treatment for alopecia and ringworm.

Another salient feature of Tuberculinum is the jerking of the muscles during sleep. This, of course, can also be treated with many other remedies.In Tuberculinum, the patient starts showing symptoms of the disease before its acute onset. Tuberculinum has often been used in the treatment of chronic rather than acute diseases. Chronic diseases, if untreated, may be transmitted to the next generation. Tuberculinum can, however, be effective in the treatment of acute illnesses.  In most of the poor countries of Asia and Africa, malaria is very common. The face of the patient becomes pale yellow and without normal glow. Diseases of the lungs; cough and asthma etc., are very common. Tuberculinum can effectively uproot asthma because tuberculous diseases ultimately result in asthma.  In some desert areas where pneumonia, tuberculosis and malaria are prevalent, sudden cooling of the temperature predisposes to pneumonia that weakens the lungs. It is no wonder that the lungs contract tuberculosis in these areas easily. In such malarial regions, such as the Sindh province of Pakistan, Tuberculinum is not only useful but is an essential part of their treatment. Malaria fever is usually associated with headache and vomiting. A tuberculosis patient who has previously suffered from malaria may develop a headache that can be treated with Tuberculinum.  Body ache, feverishness and an overall state of despair is also a symptom of Tuberculinum. A condition called hydrocephalus, in which the head of a child keeps on growing and is not amenable to treatment with common homoeopathic remedies anymore, may well be treated with Tuberculinum given in a high potency. This produces a positive reaction which other common remedies should have shown, but failed to do so.
Most of the abdominal symptoms of Tuberculinum resemble those of

Sulphur, such as profuse morning diarrhoea and sometimes

alternation of dysentery, diarrhoea and severe constipation. They are all intestinal problems. If these conditions are not treated with Tuberculinum on time, the patient may become untreatable. He develops ulcers inside the intestines, resulting in constant oozing of blood. This condition can however, be treated with Tuberculinum given over a long period.